“So, what are your New Year’s resolutions?” Could this question be anymore cliché? Probably not, and it consistently produces even more cliché answers: lose some weight, exercise more, read more, eat less sweets, spend more time doing ‘this’ or ‘that’. However, despite the inevitable banality of New Year resolutions, it is still an important time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the next. The beginning of the year provides a much needed reset for some and a time of planning for others. So what types of resolutions, hopes, and plans do the locals and expats living in Cuenca have for 2012?

For those residing in Latin America, 2012 may seem to be a slightly more significant year than others– well, at least for the slightly superstitious or believers of Mayan doctrines. Popular myth states that December 21, 2012 coincides with the Myan Long Count Calendar’s date marking the “end of the world”. However, others argue that the Mayans only predicted that this would be the start of a new age or a new era, not the ‘end of all ends’. Most Cuencanos find all this interesting, but don’t sincerely believe it. Most Americans generally brush it off as pseudoscience as well, but it should still make for an interesting topic this year. Here at GoGo, we aren’t predicting the end of the world, but we are predicting “end of the world” themed events, such as store sales and parties, especially when we get closer to December. It will be interesting to see if the growing nightlife scene in Cuenca joins in on the fun.

Another notable event in 2012 is the Summer Olympic Games in London. All Ecuadorian eyes will once again be on the speed walking event, as Rolando Saquipay (who placed 20th in speed walking in Beijing in 2008) is hoping to receive a medal in the 2012 Games. Jefferson Perez is Ecuador’s only Olympic medal winner thus far– he won gold in 1996 and silver in 2008 in the 20km speed walk.

Putting apocalyptic and global sporting events aside, what else are people looking forward to in 2012? Many Cuencanos and expats in Cuenca are hoping for a year with less rain. However, the Cuenca rain can always be avoided with getaways to the coast, to other parts of the Andes, and by heading off on a Galapagos cruise. 2012 in Cuenca should also be filled with lots of yummy (and healthy, of course!) Ecuadorian meals.

Here at GoGo-Gringo, 2012 will bring the 1-year anniversary of the launch of our website! We hope to continue to add reviews, blogs, and travel advice for you, while our community of Gringoers, both locals and expats, continues to grow and add to our forum and our site’s comments.

¡Salud! to a happy and prosperous 2012! We look forward to spending it with you.

Tracy is the co-creator of GoGo-Gringo. Her love of traveling is apparent: she’s a three-time expat (China, Ecuador, UK). Her random mix of passions include writing, music, softball, archery, politics and studying psychiatric medicine. You can reach her at tracywinn[at]gogo-gringo[dot]com.